What careers advice did you get at school, and did you follow it ?

[Flick of the Elbow]

I went to a Grange Hill type comprehensive back in the late 70's. The only advice we got was on the basis of a multiple choice questionnaire which recommended that I become a forester. I took no notice as in those days I only ever wanted to be one thing and that was a vet. I've ended up though in IT. Looking back, yes a career in forestry would have had its attractions, midges excepted.
My wife must have completed a similar questionnaire, she too was recommended forestry, she too ignored it and she too has ended up in IT.

 

[screenman]

I did not get any, the careers master was well known for not being at work most terms. Maybe that should have told me to get a job like his.

 

[ufkacbln]

Yes and no....

We were a ver advanced school in the 70"s and had a massive animal collection, as well as the pupils carrying out such tasks as First Aid parties

One teacher was superb, and had contacts galore.

I worked with a Vet in teh evenings and weekends when I fancied that, and also worked in the holidays at Papworth Hospital as a Porter and Domestic so we could get a real idea of what the work was like

I decided that Nursing had too much patient contact and things like Lab Techs were too machine orientated and not enough patient contact. Moved int RAdioogy as a porter and loved it as a potential career, and now have my own department

So as a School probably not, but I owe a lot to one inspiring teacher

 

[vernon]

"Don't get caught."

 

[Katherine]

None. The careers room was full of out of date prospectuses manned by a clueless teacher.

 

[Levo-Lon]

Think they see me as i saw them..waste of each others time..
I used the go round garages and ask if they had any jobs ..it worked..

 

[raleighnut]

I'd already got a job that I'd been doing on Saturdays and during school holidays for 2yrs, couldn't wait to leave school.

 

[Levo-Lon]

I'd already got a job that I'd been doing on Saturdays and during school holidays for 2yrs, couldn't wait to leave school.

me too i have never thought they were the best days of my life,i hated school..
sports were about all i liked

 

[pplpilot]

Hated school, every single second of it, the teachers, the other kids, everything about it. Spent most my time bunking off. I do recall most the teachers saying I was a waste of space and would never acheive anything.

 

[Dave 123]

In Ellesmere Port it was "Does your dad work in Vauxhalls?"- the answer was no

"Does your dad work in Shell?"- No

"What does your dad do?- He's an electrician

"Do what your dad does"

 

[grumpyoldwoman]

The best advice I got was to find a job in an area that you're interested in or forms a part of a hobby.

 

[Hugh Manatee]

I was physically picked up (just about) and thrown out of the careers room by the incumbent teacher. In Devon you had a secondary school and its catchment area and you just went.

I hadn't really worked for my O Levels, (a pattern to be sadly repeated for my A Levels) and had to take A Levels at whatever I had passed in the summer before. It was then my turn to be interviewed by the careers advisor.

"So, Manatee", he said, "Human biology and geography. What are you going to do with that? Sounds like a waste of time to me."

"I want to be a flying doctor, sir" I replied.

Cue a 5'9" teacher trying to heave a gangly 6' yoof out into the corridor. To answer the OP, I didn't even take my own careers advice. I only ever wanted to go to Dartmouth and become a Naval Officer. That plan ended with me doing very well at university against all expectations and meeting the love of my life. No regrets.

 

[Pro Tour Punditry]

A "Church of Scotland minister" was top of my list of suggested careers when I was a teenager. Such a pity I never followed that path, I would have been f*cking brilliant at it.

 

[ELL]

I half remember having to go and see a career adviser. I don't remember the actual talk but do remember thinking what a waste of time so no I didn't take the advice.

 

[subaqua]

In Ellesmere Port it was "Does your dad work in Vauxhalls?"- the answer was no

"Does your dad work in Shell?"- No

"What does your dad do?- He's an electrician

"Do what your dad does"

similar to advice i got growing up in North Wales

but the places were

1) Hawker siddely ( what the plant in Broughton is known as dates you ) *
2) Shotton Steel
3) Vauxhalls

we also got told to apply at Octel, BNFL Capenhurst, CEGB at Connahs quay ( when it was a coal station ! )
My dad said, do whatever you want to do , but get a trade first because you will always have something to fall back on . So I became a spark

* known as

Vickers, De Havs , Hawkers, Aerospace or Airbus I only know it as the last 3 names.